Decleer
Valerie Decleer: A Biography of a Photographer and Painter
Valerie Decleer, a painter and photographer, was born in Ostend, Belgium, and currently resides and works in Moere (Gistel). Her work is a candid expression of her body and soul, rooted in a delicate yet abundant mystery. It touches on themes such as a yearning for something lost, a struggle for freedom, and the power and beauty of nature.
Valerie grew up surrounded by art and was exposed to her father's art studio at a young age. Initially, she expressed herself through drawings and paintings. She later attended the Ostend Academy to hone her artistic skills. The academy's most prominent artist, James Ensor, was a significant influence on her work and continues to inspire her to this day.
Not wanting to be compared to her father, Valerie later turned to photography to develop her own style. It took her a while to develop her unique approach, experimenting with colors, framing, and the interplay between visual and emotional elements. She finally reached a point where she felt that technique and meaning intertwined.
Valerie's work has been showcased in numerous exhibitions worldwide. She participated in various group exhibitions in Italy, Hungary, Greece, and Colombia. In 2021, she was part of an essential Belgian group exhibition called "A Butterfly's Scream" in Beernem, organized by PAK (Platform for Contemporary Arts). This was a landmark moment for her, followed by several exhibitions throughout Belgium. In 2023, PAK sponsored a limited edition of her work "Penelope."
Valerie graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Bruges in 2011, where she developed her skills in oil painting. Her first oil paintings from the "Garden Memories" series were on display in the 2023 group exhibition "De Natuur" at PAK.
Education
2008- 2011
Academy of Fine Arts, Bruges
1992-1996
Academy of Fine Arts, Ostend
Exhibitions
2024
LL Galery, Eden, Brugge
2024
2024
Galerie S&H De Buck, 'Het naakt - Le nu - The nude', Gent
Galerie Lloyd, '...from Ostend with love', Oostende
2024
Galerie S&H De Buck, 'Frozen reality', Gent
2024
Noir de noir concept gallery, InfluENSORed, Oostende
2023
PAK, De Natuur, Gistel
2023
PAK, Lipstick on a cup of coffee, Gistel
2023
Galerie S&H De Buck, 'Sag mir wo die Blumen sind, wo sind sie geblieben?', Gent
2023
Expozee, Huidhonger, De Haan
2022
Galerie S&H De Buck, Pleasant Encounters, Gent
2022
PAK, This is not a landscape 2, Gistel
2022
CAS, You want it darker, Ostend
2021
PAK, Psychiatrisch centrum Sint-Amandus, A butterfly's scream, Beernem
2021
Articulate, Virtual gallery, Pandemic Art 1.0
2020
Gallery Millepiani, Mirrors and Reflections, Rome, Italy
2019
Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, Greece